Input pen for a touch-sensitive medical monitor

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to an input pen for a touch-sensitive medical monitor, including: a grip portion, and an input portion, wherein the input portion includes one-dimensional and two-dimensional monitor contact sections.

RELATED APPLICATION DATA

This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Application No.60/957,261 filed on Aug. 22, 2007, and EP 07014275 filed on Jul. 20,2007, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to generally to input devices and, moreparticularly, to an input pen for a touch-sensitive medical monitor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Medical image data can be generated two-dimensionally orthree-dimensionally using medical imaging methods (for example, computertomography, nuclear spin tomography, or x-ray apparatus). The image datais increasingly stored as digital image data or digital image data setsand made available to the treatment staff in an image-assistedtreatment.

Image-assisted treatment is made possible using monitors or usingdigital film viewers (light boxes), and in further developments of thistechnology, the user has the option of altering the representation ofthe image or the image data themselves using inputs on the monitor orlight box.

If touch-sensitive monitors (monitors and digital film viewers or lightboxes are collectively referred to herein as “monitors”) are used, auser can provide an input via the screen.

Inputs can be made using the hands and/or fingers, or also by usinginput pens. Using an input pen to enter commands is described in WO02/00297 A2. In this disclosure, a simple touch pen is used to inputdata on a touch-sensitive screen. Such methods are also used to inputdata on computers with touch-sensitive screens or on PDAs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An input pen in accordance with the invention is configured forinputting data on a touch-sensitive medical monitor. Herein it will bereferred to as a “medical input pen,” “medical monitor input pen,” or“input pen.” An input pen in accordance with the invention may include agrip portion and an input portion, wherein the input portion includesone-dimensional and two-dimensional monitor contact sections. In otherwords, an “input tip” of the input pen is configured with a shape thatmultiplies the inputting options. In accordance with the invention, theinput portion acquires a shape that allows inputs that can be variouslyidentified and interpreted depending on their position of contact on themonitor.

Configuring the input pen in accordance with the invention works wellwith monitors that have a so-called “multi-touch” function. Suchmonitors can detect a number of contact processes simultaneously and candistinguish punctual, linear, or planar contacts. Using a single inputpen configured in accordance with the invention, it is possible togenerate such one-dimensional and multi-dimensional contacts tosignificantly increase the number of possible inputs. An image shown onthe monitor can be selected and deselected by an image contact using theone-dimensional contact portion of the input pen, while a differentimage contact using a multi-dimensional portion of the input pen and asubsequent contact movement may cause the image to be shifted. Theinterpretation of the respective contact may be stored in a dataprocessing system for controlling the monitor, and the desired inputscan be made in a very simple and uncomplicated way using a single inputpen.

A one-dimensional contact section can be configured to be punctual orcan enable a punctual contact with the monitor. A two-dimensionalcontact section can be configured to be linear and/or planar or canenable a linear and/or planar contact with the monitor.

Wherever “contact with the monitor” is mentioned herein, this termincludes embodiments in which the monitor registers actual contacts onits surface, but also other embodiments in which light is scanned in thesurface of the monitor (for example, by an infrared light grid).

In one exemplary version of the input pen in accordance with theinvention, the input portion comprises the one-dimensional andtwo-dimensional contact sections at particular locations. The inputportion also can be variable or changing in shape to formone-dimensional or two-dimensional contact sections.

Examples of the latter variation include input portions that arevariable in shape, wherein flexible contact sections may be providedthat flexibly change their shape from a one-dimensional state to atwo-dimensional state or vice versa. One example may be a convex bulgeon the input pen, made of a flexible material. Another alternative maybe a spherical shape. If a spherical shape is used, the sphere may firsttrigger a punctual contact and, when pressed harder, may trigger acircular planar contact. In another example, the input portion mayexhibit a cylindrical outer shape and comprise a flexible material. Inthis example, a linear input may be made when it is lightly touching,and a rectangular input contact may be made when it is pressed harder.

Another way in which shape changes can change the contact section may beto form the input portion to be mechanically variable in shape, whereinthe input portion comprises parts that can be moved with respect to eachother and can be biased elastically with respect to each other. Theseparts, individually or together, can form the contact section.

In accordance with one exemplary application of the invention, a planarsterility barrier may be arranged between the grip portion and the inputportion. The sterility barrier may be arranged at the distal end of thegrip portion, and may project transversely from the body of the pen onall sides. By forming the input pen from a material that is easy tosterilize, such an input pen can be kept reproducibly sterile (i.e., canbe cleaned, disinfected and sterilized after use). If a sterilitybarrier as mentioned above is provided between the grip portion and theinput portion, the grip portion will remain sterile during use, while atthe other end (i.e., the input portion) it may become non-sterile due tonon-sterile contacts with a monitor. The portion of the input pen thatthe operator grips thus remains sterile, and so does the operator.

Another possible type of input that can be provided by an input penconfigured in accordance with the invention is a rotational contact.Specifically, a signal emitter can be arranged on the input portion ofthe pen and a signal receiver can be arranged on the monitor thatidentifies rotational changes in the position of the input portion fromthe signals received from the signal emitter. Such a configuration alsocan increase the range of inputs.

The signal emitter can be a light emitter (for example, an infraredlight emitter) and the signal receiver can be a light-sensitive element.One example of such a light-sensitive element is a group of infraredlight receivers that may be arranged around the edge of the monitor andserve to determine a contact with the touch-sensitive monitor. In thisexample, a feature of a touch-sensitive monitor that operates usinglight scanning may be used in two ways: (1) for identifying “contacts”and (2) for identifying a rotational movement of the input pen.

Another exemplary configuration in accordance with the invention may bedesigned such that a reflector can be arranged on the input portion ofthe input pen, and at least one signal emitter and at least one signalreceiver may be arranged on the monitor. The signal receiver mayidentify rotational changes in the position of the input portion fromthe signals received from the reflector. Such rotational changes mayinclude rotations made substantially around the axis of the pen. In thisexample, the signal emitter also can comprise a light emitter (forexample, an infrared light emitter) and the signal receiver can comprisea light-sensitive element. The light sensitive element may include agroup of infrared light receivers that are arranged around the edge ofthe monitor and serve to determine a contact with the touch-sensitivemonitor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The forgoing and other features of the invention are hereinafterdiscussed with reference to the figures.

FIGS. 1 a through 1 d show an exemplary input pen in accordance with theinvention, in various projected views.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show two oblique views of the input pen of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 shows the input pen of FIG. 1 wherein the rotation of the inputpen may be detected.

FIG. 5 shows an exemplary input portion of an input pen configured forpunctual and planar contact.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An exemplary input pen in accordance with the invention, shown in FIGS.1 a to 1 d, bears the reference sign 1. It has a grip portion 2 withgripping grooves 3. A front portion of the input pen is separated fromthe grip portion 2 by a sterility barrier 4, which projects from a bodyof the pen as a triangular planar body that is rounded outwards. Thesterility barrier 4 keeps the grip portion 2 sterilely separate from thefront portion of the pen (which may comprise extensions 5 and 6,opposite the sterility barrier 4). The extensions 5 and 6 can beintegrally formed as a single part having a fixed length, however alsoit is possible to configure the pen and/or extensions to have a variablelength. The extension 6 can be telescopically moved within the extension5 and can be fixed to a length (for example, by a rotational lock—notshown).

An input portion 7 of the pen may be connected to the extension 6 andthe input portion's front end may comprise a monitor contact portion 8.In another example in accordance with the invention, an input portion 7also can be directly connected to the grip portion 2 and/or the barrier4. The contact portion 8 may include different monitor contact sections,and FIGS. 1 a-1 d show a tip 10 that lies at the upper end of the inputportion 7. In the example, a contact section 9 may be formedsubstantially cylindrically, and may extend obliquely backwards anddownwards from the tip 10.

The input portion 7 forms the contact end of the input pen and when thetip 10 touches a monitor, this contact generates a punctual or verysmall planar contact point. A linear or planar point contact can begenerated using the outer side of the cylindrical contact section 9. Inthis manner, different inputs intended to produce different results interms of representation of an image and/or image processing can be madeusing the same input pen. A sectional image from a CT patient scan canbe displayed on the monitor, and by touching the monitor in the imageregion, the sectional image may be selected or deselected. If, however,the tip—once touching—is moved by a certain distance over the monitor,this movement can be interpreted as a command that causes varioussectional image planes to be scrolled. If a linear or planar input ismade using the same input pen (for example, by the contact section 9)this input is registered and another manipulation can be initiated whenthe planar input is moved (for example, the image can be shifted). Inaccordance with the invention, multiple functions of touch-sensitivescreens can be initiated or controlled using a single input pen.

Additionally, it is possible to simultaneously use a number of the inputpens in accordance with the invention. For example, a measurement may betaken using two input pens making two contacts.

Another example in accordance with the invention may be using an inputpen that is equipped with a signal emitter or transmitter. With such aconfiguration, it is possible to generate a rotating input, as shown inFIG. 4. The input portion 47 of the input pen 41 may comprise a lightsource 42 (for example, an infrared light transmitter) that emitsinfrared light as shown by arrows 43. The light transmitter 42 on theinput portion 47 then may signal whether the input pen 41 is beingrotated. To this end, a signal receiver 44 may be arranged on a monitor45. It is also possible to arrange a number of signal receivers 44around an edge of the monitor 45, and the signal receivers 44 cansimultaneously act as scanners of a light-scanning monitor. Thetransmitter 42 may emit the light (arrows 43), projecting the lightperpendicularly from the input portion 47, and the receiver 44 detectssaid light. If the user rotates the pen 41 without altering the anglebetween the pen and the monitor 45, the light 43 falls on otherreceivers on the monitor 45, or it is determined at the receiver 44 thatlight from the transmitter 42 is no longer incident. This input signalcan be registered and identified as a rotational movement, and onceidentified, a corresponding rotational movement can be applied to animage that is currently being shown on the monitor 45. In anotherexample, this rotational variant also can be configured using areflective surface on the input portion 47 and providing atransmitter/receiver on the monitor 45 (or a number oftransmitters/receivers around the monitor 45).

FIG. 5 shows another example of an input portion 51 for an input pen inaccordance with the invention. The input portion 51 includes a penextension 52 that is mounted in a casing 53 by a spring 54. In its basestate, the pen extension 52 may protrude somewhat beyond the front edgeof the casing 53. One-dimensional or punctual inputs can be made using atip of the pen extension 52. If the input portion 51 is placed onto amonitor with a nominal pressure, the pen extension 52 may be pressedinto the casing 53, against the pressure of the spring 54, and a planarinput can be made using a resultant overall facing area that includesthe facing areas of the casing 53 and the pen extension 52.

Although the invention has been shown and described with respect to acertain preferred embodiment or embodiments, it is obvious thatequivalent alterations and modifications will occur to others skilled inthe art upon the reading and understanding of this specification and theannexed FIGS. For example, regard to the various functions performed bythe above described elements (components, assemblies, devices, software,computer programs, etc.), the terms (including a reference to a “means”)used to describe such elements are intended to correspond, unlessotherwise indicated, to any element that performs the specified functionof the described element (i.e., that is functionally equivalent), eventhough not structurally equivalent to the disclosed structure thatperforms the function in the herein illustrated exemplary embodiment orembodiments of the invention. In addition, while a particular feature ofthe invention may have been described above with respect to only one ormore of several illustrated embodiments, such feature may be combinedwith one or more other features of the other embodiments, as may bedesired and advantageous for any given or particular application.

1. An input pen for a touch-sensitive medical monitor, comprising: agrip portion, and an input portion configured for contacting a touchsensitive surface, wherein the input portion comprises one-dimensionaland two-dimensional monitor contact sections.
 2. The input pen accordingto claim 1, wherein said one-dimensional contact section is configuredto be punctual or to enable a punctual contact with the monitor.
 3. Theinput pen according to claim 1, wherein said two-dimensional contactsection is configured to be linear and/or planar and/or to enable alinear or planar contact with the monitor.
 4. The input pen according toclaim 1, wherein the input portion comprises the one-dimensional andtwo-dimensional contact sections at different locations along a contactportion.
 5. The input pen according to claim 1, wherein a shape of theinput portion is variable and can change to form said one-dimensionaland said two-dimensional monitor contact sections.
 6. The input penaccording to claim 5, wherein the input portion comprises elasticcontact sections that resiliently change from a one-dimensional state toa two-dimensional state corresponding to a force applied to the inputportion.
 7. The input pen according to claim 5, wherein the inputportion comprises at least two parts movable with respect to each other,such that they can form the contact section together or individually. 8.The input pen according to claim 1, further comprising a sterilitybarrier arranged between the grip portion and the input portion, saidbarrier projecting transversely from a longitudinal axis of the pen. 9.An input system comprising: a touch-sensitive monitor equipped with asignal receiver; and an input pen, comprising: a grip portion, an inputportion configured for contacting a touch sensitive surface, wherein theinput portion comprises one-dimensional and two-dimensional monitorcontact sections, and wherein said signal receiver is configured toidentify changes in the position of the input portion from signalsreceived from the signal emitter.
 10. The input system according toclaim 9, wherein said changes in position of the input portion arerotational changes made substantially about a longitudinal axis of thepen.
 11. The input system according to claim 9, wherein the signalemitter comprises an infrared light emitter, and the signal receivercomprises a light-sensitive element.
 12. The input system according toclaim 11, wherein the signal receiver further comprises a plurality ofinfrared light receivers arranged around an edge of the monitor.
 13. Aninput system comprising: an input pen, comprising: a grip portion, andan input portion configured for contacting a touch sensitive surface,wherein the input portion comprises one-dimensional and two-dimensionalmonitor contact sections and a reflector; and a touch-sensitive monitorequipped with at least one signal emitter and at least one signalreceiver, wherein the at least one signal receiver is configured toidentify changes in the position of the input portion from signalsreceived from the reflector.
 14. The input system according to claim 13,said changes in position of the input portion are rotational changesmade substantially about a longitudinal axis of the pen.
 15. The inputsystem according to claim 13, wherein the at least one signal emittercomprises an infrared light emitter and the at least one signal receivercomprises a light-sensitive element.
 16. The input system according toclaim 15, wherein the at least one signal receiver further comprises aplurality of infrared light receivers arranged around an edge of themonitor.